How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
By the kWhCompare Editorial Team · Updated September 29, 2026 · 3 min read
With gas at a record $4.48 a gallon for this time of year, the math on electric cars has never looked better. At the average U.S. electricity rate, driving 1,000 miles on home charging costs about $61. The same distance in a 30-mpg car costs about $149. But your number depends heavily on where you live, and in one state the math flips entirely.
Calculate your cost
Enter your own numbers. Your electricity rate is your total bill divided by the kWh you used; if you don't know it, start with your state average.
Your EV charging cost
The formula
Charging cost = miles driven × kWh per mile × your electricity rate.
Most EVs use between 25 and 35 kWh per 100 miles; smaller sedans sit at the low end, large SUVs and trucks at the high end. You can find your model's official figure on fueleconomy.gov. Add about 10% for energy lost while charging, so a car rated at 30 kWh per 100 miles really draws about 33 kWh from your wall.
A driver doing 1,000 miles a month in that car uses about 330 kWh a month. That's roughly a third of what a typical home uses, so expect your electric bill to rise noticeably, even as your gas spending falls to zero.
EV vs gas by state
Cost of 1,000 miles in an EV using 30 kWh per 100 miles, with 10% charging losses, at each area's average residential rate:
| Where you charge | Rate | 1,000 miles | Per mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $53 | 5.3¢ |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $50 | 5.0¢ |
| U.S. average | 18.3¢ | $61 | 6.1¢ |
| New York | 29.5¢ | $97 | 9.7¢ |
| California | 34.7¢ | $115 | 11.5¢ |
| Hawaii | 52.7¢ | $174 | 17.4¢ |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $4.48/gal | $149 | 14.9¢ |
In Texas and Florida, home charging costs about a third of gas. Even in California, one of the most expensive states for electricity, it's still cheaper than filling up at current prices. Hawaii is the exception: at over 50¢ per kWh, home charging at the standard rate costs more than gas, which is why so many Hawaii EV owners pair their cars with rooftop solar.
Level 1 vs Level 2 charging
Level 1 uses a standard 120-volt outlet and the cable that comes with most EVs. It adds only about 3–5 miles of range per hour, but costs nothing to set up. If you drive under 40 miles a day and can plug in overnight, it's often enough.
Level 2 uses a 240-volt circuit, like a dryer outlet, and adds roughly 20–30 miles of range per hour. The charger and installation usually run from several hundred dollars to over $2,000, depending on how far your panel is from the garage and whether it needs an upgrade. The electricity costs the same per kWh either way; Level 2 just charges faster.
How to cut your charging cost
Charge at night on the right plan
Many utilities offer time-of-use or EV rates with much cheaper overnight prices. In Texas, "free nights" plans can make overnight charging almost free, but check the daytime rate: it's usually higher to compensate. Our guide to plan types in Texas explains the trade-offs.
Watch the bill credit thresholds
Adding an EV can push a Texas home above 1,000 or 2,000 kWh, which changes which plan is cheapest. Plans that look expensive at 1,000 kWh are sometimes the best deal at 1,800 kWh. Reading the EFL shows how to compare at your new usage.
Skip DC fast charging when you can
Public fast chargers are convenient on road trips, but often charge 40–60¢ per kWh or more, two to three times the average home rate. Charging at home most of the time is where the savings come from.
The bottom line
For most Americans, charging at home costs well under half of what the same miles cost in gasoline, and with gas above $4 the savings for a typical driver can top $1,000 a year. The cheaper your electricity, the bigger the gap, so once you have an EV, it's worth checking whether your electricity rate is competitive.
See if your rate is competitive before your bill goes up.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home per month?
For 1,000 miles a month, about $61 at the average U.S. rate of 18.3¢ per kWh, using an EV that needs 30 kWh per 100 miles plus charging losses.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to buy gas?
In almost every state, yes. At $4.48 a gallon, gas for a 30-mpg car costs about 15¢ a mile versus about 6¢ for an EV at the average electricity rate. Hawaii is the main exception.
How many kWh does an EV use per month?
About 330 kWh for 1,000 miles in a typical EV, including charging losses.
Is Level 2 charging more expensive than Level 1?
No. The price per kWh is the same; Level 2 just charges faster. The extra cost is the one-time charger and installation.
Sources
- AAA, national average gas prices, September 2026 (gasprices.aaa.com)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, average residential electricity prices by state, 2026 (eia.gov)
- U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, vehicle efficiency ratings (fueleconomy.gov)
Figures are checked against these sources when each guide is updated. See how we research and calculate. This guide is for general information and isn't financial advice.